CINCINNATI (AP) — Gonzalo Tapia had a goal and an assist, Taha Habroune scored a goal for the third consecutive game, and the Columbus Crew beat Cincinnati FC 2-0 on Sunday for their fourth win in the last five games.
The Crew (10-15-5) have 35 points this season, one behind ninth-place Cincinnati for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Columbus has won three in a row against Cincinnati, is unbeaten in five straight, and leads the Hell is Real rivalry 9-3-6 in the regular-season.
Patrick Schulte finished with eight saves and had his sixth shutout this season.
Brais Méndez played a corner kick in to the back post, where Tapia was unchecked for a header that gave Columbus a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Habroune, a 20-year-old homegrown in his third MLS season, put away a first-touch shot off a feed from Tapia to make it 2-0 in the 54th minute.
Homegrown Habroune 👊 Columbus doubles its lead at Cincinnati! https://t.co/iYbuNNoLJo
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 18, 2026
Cincinnati (9-11-9) has one win in its last nine games.
